Page 196 - Bonhams Chinese & Asian Works of Art Los Angelis December 14 2020

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF ROBERT P. YOUNGMAN
419
TWO ROCK CRYSTAL SEATED BEARS
Han dynasty
One of clear crystal, the other of semi-transparent milky tone, each
modelled seated with left forepaw resting on the folded left hindleg and
the right forepaw raised to the side of the head, the eyes simply drilled
and with delicate fur markings around the head.
1 3/4in (4.1 cm) high, the tallest
$7,000 - 10,000

For another rock crystal example of similar semi-transparent milky
tone to one of our examples, see J.J. Lally & Co., Arts of the Han
Dynasty, March-April, 1998, no. 19, where the authors reference a
similar jade carving in the same posture but with a flat back, from the
Joseph Hotung Collection which was exhibited at the British Museum
and illustrated by Jessica Rawson in Chinese Jade from the Neolithic
to the Qing, London, 1995, p.359, no. 26:3, where Rawson points
out that bears of this form were often cast in bronze (see lot 420 in
this sale) both as small sculptures and as supports for wine-warming
tripod vessels, zun.

194 | BONHAMS